668 You're Alone Here.
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A frigid breeze swept across the Winter Island, ushering in an unmistakable sensation of chilly shivers.
Within the confines of Drum Kingdom, situated in the initial stretch of the Grand Line, the prevailing climate was characterized by cold temperatures and a blanket of snow.
However, the advent of the art store, distinguished by its expansive interior, marked a pivotal shift in the dynamics of life. This establishment provided a capacious haven where residents of the kingdom could congregate without the oppressive feeling of overcrowding.
Even the king Mapol and his modest family perceived and embraced this delightful transformation, not to mention the broader populace.
The brisk winds swept through the horizon, yet devoid of any human presence to register its cold embrace—only vacant abodes bore witness.
Within the inviting confines of the art store, all inhabitants convened, reveling in the celebration of the latest manga volume. It became customary for a significant portion of the populace to dedicate their entire day to this vibrant hub.
In a secluded chamber, removed from the bustling throng, Dr. Hiriluk immersed himself in the manga, grappling with a myriad of conflicting emotions.
Perched on the fifth floor of Impel Down, he was acutely attuned to the severe cold prevailing in his surroundings. However, it was not the chilling atmosphere that accounted for his current emotional state. Rather, it was the agonizing ordeal that Luffy was currently undergoing.
"… This young boy doesn't deserve such tribulations," murmured Hiriluk, his heart weighed down by profound sorrow at the unfolding predicament befalling Luffy at that very moment.
...
•———•———•———•———•———•
Chapter's Events:
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[Level 4, Employees' Stairway]
"Proceeding to Level 5?" The soldiers stationed at the gate executed a crisp military salute upon witnessing Hannyabal's arrival accompanied by two prisoners.
"Yes, indeed. These prisoners have been sentenced to endure the chilling grasp of confinement!" Hannyabal proclaimed with an outward display of confidence. However, internally, his thoughts betrayed a different sentiment: (We have no alternative but to press forward!! Just you wait, Straw-chan!!!)
Bon Clay cast a discerning gaze at the document in his possession, a roster detailing the names of Level 5 prisoners, and an unsettling feeling settled within him.
(But there's something strange about this list of prisoners in Level 5… What's going on here?) (Emporio Ivankov, the historically formidable okama king… Iva's name is absent!! Was he granted release or subjected to execution!)
With no recourse, Bon Clay turned to the guards flanking him and inquired, "Was this prisoner set free?"
"Oh, Ivankov… Several years ago, an incident occurred… Have you forgotten, Vice Warden?" The guard responded with a hint of displeasure.
"Ahh…!! I see, that!! That happened!! I know, but if you do, tell me what happened!"
"Yes… But in the presence of the prisoners?"
"It's acceptable, proceed!"
"… Periodically, individuals have inexplicably vanished from Impel Down. They didn't escape outright. Prisoners who hadn't even made a single move… vanished without a trace, as if spirited away by demons." The guard elucidated the mysterious disappearances of prisoners.
"These unnatural vanishings… instilled great trepidation… as if they were beckoned to the gates of hell. Hence, it was colloquially referred to as being 'demoned away.'"
"They… Vanished…?" Mister 3 perspired profusely upon learning this unsettling information… but then, an intense chill overcame him.
"So cold!! The door's not even open yet!!"
"And we're already clad in so many layers…!!!"
•———•———•———•———•———•
Impel Down:
"What is the meaning of this!"
"Where am I, for heaven's sake!"
Hannyabal remains utterly baffled by the unfolding events, as Bon Clay seamlessly steals his identity in an astonishingly simple manner. Not a single guard detects any flaw or irregularity in the flawless disguise of the okama.
Yet, this fails to elucidate the disappearance of the 'real' Hannyabal thus far!
"Why are things proceeding so smoothly for them? Hah! Hahaha! Well done! Revel in the splendid cold! Didn't see that coming, did you!?"
Hannyabal exclaimed with fervor upon witnessing how Bon Clay, Buggy, and Galdino were compelled to enter Level 5 without their coats!
Bon Clay even entered in the nude! The rationale behind this being that the 'real' one always enters without clothes.
"Who could this Emporio Ivankov be? Odd… What could be the cause of prisoners vanishing from time to time…?"
At this juncture, Magellan, now elevated from Vice Warden to Guardian Warden, chimed in. He reclaimed some confidence from the Five Elders.
Once again, he stood on equal footing with his former rank as the chief warden.
"Demons might indeed exist in this prison..." Hannyabal shuddered.
"Demons, my ass! There must be some clandestine reason behind the prisoners' disappearances… Why didn't my manga counterpart express any interest?" Magellan mused curiously before making new entries in his log.
"Zehahaha! That's because your counterpart is constantly occupied with bowel movements, where will he find the time to investigate the secret of Level 5?" In this moment, Teach, who dismissed the symbolic title ' Guardian Warden' after consuming the Dark Fruit, whether Magellan appreciated it or not.
Magellan regarded Teach with disdain, but he paid no heed to the mockery.
Since the manga will unveil everything in due course, he saw no need to delve into the investigation.
"Hahaha! Your mouth are more venomous than Magellan's, oh Chief Warden..." Shiryu also taunted.
...
Ohara:
Saul's countenance underwent a transformation as he observed the unfolding events in the manga; this benevolent giant was gripped by a profound sense of pain and sorrow for Luffy.
"I am inclined to believe that this situation is unparalleled in Luffy's experiences..."
Brook cast a gaze at Saul and sighed; the inclination to laugh had completely dissipated within him. "This... Luffy-san... bears an immense burden..."
Clover sensed that the existence of the Strawhat boy was ablaze and liquefying, akin to a candle surrounded by flames. The manga was crafted with such intricate visual details that allowed the reader to empathize with the character's emotional journey.
"His cries, his pains, his despair... all of it resonates as genuine..."
Vegapunk attempted to offer solace, yet tears cascaded down uncontrollably. "I must fashion a clone that sheds tears on my behalf..."
"Is there truly no remedy for Magellan's poison? At what point did Luffy descend into such a wretched state...?"
Donquixote Homing, too, harbored a profound sense of sorrow for Luffy.
...
•———•———•———•———•———•
"Haa… Haa… aaa!!" "Uuuh…!!!"
In the frigid confines of the cell, Luffy was contorting in agony from the effects of the poison.
"Looks like we've got a live one here. Are we tasked with witnessing his demise?" One of the prisoners commented upon observing the harrowing scene of Luffy.
"It hurts…!!! Zeeh…" "Haa… uuuhh…!!!"
("It's akin to an ant in a storm. You'll be swept away, powerless to act.")
These words reverberated from the elderly Nyon Ba, delving into the recesses of his memories during these moments of despair.
"Ahh!!!" Luffy, consumed by desperation, began banging his head against the cell bars.
"Stop that, it's futile…!! There's no way you'll survive after ingesting that much poison. Your eyes… are beyond repair… can you still hear me?" One of the prisoners felt a twinge of pity for Luffy.
"Just be silent and embrace your fate…"
"… NO!!! I WON'T DIE!!! NOT UNTIL I SAVE ACE…!!"
"You can't even help yourself… do you have a companion in these cells…? Ridiculous. In here, you fend for yourself…!!!"
"Nobody's coming to aid you… everyone here is isolated…!!!" The prisoner appeared derisive, but he spoke a harsh truth.
•———•———•———•———•———•
"Is that accurate...?"
"Will nobody come to your aid in your direst circumstances...?"
"Perhaps it might occur... and perhaps not... for all these prisoners, it hasn't happened... they've endured freezing conditions for many years without anyone stepping forward to rescue them..."
"Do you understand why, young boy?"
Upon hearing that, the 10-year-old boy lifted his head to see the great man smiling at him.
"Why?" The gruff voice emerged from his mouth, so rough that it became even more rugged due to the intensity of his emotions in this moment.
Even Roger had never experienced such profound emotions before. The image of the boy had left an indelible mark on his mind, imparting an extraordinarily valuable lesson today.
"That's because they, each and every one of them, lacked faith in the savior who would come to their rescue. Their thoughts and feelings centered around themselves, devoid of awareness. They ended up isolated, without the seeds of hope from the outside world, for they are fundamentally 'villains' indeed..."
"Luffy ventured into Impel Down to save his brother, deeming him the seed of hope beyond. Similarly, if Zoro, Sanji, or even Usopp were to learn of Luffy's suffering in prison, they would surmount mountains of challenges to rescue and liberate him."
"That's because wherever he goes, he scatters the seeds of hope. Everyone genuinely adores him; even the former adversary Bon-Clay became his friend when Luffy acknowledged it."
"This comrade now stands as the sole seed of hope for him."
"It's you... 'You're alone here'... the prisoner who uttered that phrase meant himself." Rob conveyed with a smile.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 654: I Won't Let You Die!
Chapter 655: Impel Down Level 5.5: The Prisoners' Secret Flower Garden.
Chapter 656: Hormone Controlling Human!
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